Dairy Farm Heights

Disclaimer: this is a very long review What do all homeowners want when it comes to finding an ID for their renovation project? Someone who has experience in handling the project, allowing homeowners a fuss-free process, providing advice and design direction after understanding the homeowners’ needs and preferences. Things like drawings, mood boards, tile selections, laminates and space planning, and of course, ensuring quality of work done, project management and scheduling, should be something that everyone can relate to. At the end of the day, everyone would want to have a fairy tale type ending to this stressful endeavour. Unfortunately for us, we got a nightmare. Despite our best efforts to meet with more than 8 IDs, we ended up choosing a dud. 1.) 3D renders that didn’t look like reference projects that we had provided before, were provided 2 days before tile selection. No tile designs were shortlisted to highlight the proposed design. Wasted a day being overwhelmed by all the tiles available, and ended up taking an additional week of our own time trying to choose by ourselves. 2.) Tiling work started a few days before the ID disappeared for a holiday without prior notice. Honest mistake perhaps? Anyway, insufficient tiles were ordered, and we wouldn’t have found out if we didn’t do a house visit 3.) Met up a week or so later to discuss designs, electrical plans and laminates. Again without details around space planning and design (eg line drawings). Laminates proposed were 1 white and 2 wood grains. 4.) Noted that skirtings were inconsistent in thickness, and were too fat in some areas (> 18mm, up to 28mm at some areas), and we couldn’t get a reason at first because the tiler was away. 5.) Was pushed to make a decision regarding electrical plans, however each revision seemed to be missing things here and there. At this point, we still didn’t have line drawings to base our decisions since we were uncertain of the final design 6.) Explanation finally given regarding skirting, but we didn’t think it was reasonable that we were not informed before hand, and had to now live with fat, ugly and dangerous skirting (imagine if someone trips and hits their head at the corner where the skirting is). Some advice from friends (also in the trade) and family and all agreed it was unacceptable, and we requested for it to be redone, but was challenged in return to find someone else who could do this for us properly and the ID would personally pay. 7.) Received drawings that showed it wasn’t practical - we originally had a large wardrobe with an enclosed dresser but had to shorten it due to a shift in the aircon, so the new design had a small wardrobe (smaller than my current one) still with dresser, which made no practical sense. We challenged the decision making process of having to commit to electrical plans before having these drawings eg. Having lighting points for the dresser then realising we don’t have space for a dresser. 8.) ID couldn’t agree with what we were saying, and stated that such drawings wouldn’t normally be provided before 95% of the contract was paid up (we’re still not talking carpentry measurements here). And then, he informed us that it’s better to terminate this contract and the balance from our initial 50% would be returned. No rectification of skirting, no apology, no solution. 9.) We went to find the first ID’s team lead the following day to discuss the solution. Explained the issues outstanding and met up multiple times to review the house status. Many things had to be rediscussed, new drawings and plans had to be adjusted, and everyone recognised that this should have been done earlier, prior to tiling selection. 10.) After 2 weeks of intense discussions, we seemed to have gotten closer to where we should have been earlier, in terms of design and materials. But then came the VOs - $6k+ for some tweaks to carpentry and removal of door frames. $6k+ additional for electrical works despite an initial estimate of $1.5k in the quote, and this represented a 20% increase from the original 11.) Things were on a standstill for about 2 weeks while I was away for work, but the cost was still an issue, and we asked whether there would be any form of compensation - for the time wasted trying to rectify and re-discuss everything, for the issues caused etc. In response, the team lead wasn’t able to commit and had to seek advice from management. Unfortunately, Darwin’s management didn’t think there was anything wrong, and stated that hiccups are inevitable in any project, so no compensation was necessary. All they could do was to do their best to rectify and schedule the project if we would continue with them. And if we didn’t agree on this approach they wouldn’t proceed with work, so ultimately we suck thumb, since our current home was sold and the deadline to vacate was looming closer 12.) Finally proceeded with work, with the rectification of the skirtings (as it should), but not without first having to speak with the BSC regarding “uneven walls” - which were mostly proven to be straight in the end 13.) Had another incident where I tried verifying a quote for toilet doors (after measurements) because I was given a cheaper quote from the same supplier (before measurements) - ID misunderstood and got upset, mentioning he didn’t want to continue.. honestly, is this a common theme, to threaten to give up and leave the homeowner hanging? 14.) Managed to speak amicably to smoothen relations, but was also given confusing explanations about inter-company relations of the suppliers (different brancor liaise directly with the supplier and that these toilet doors would be excluded from the contractor warranty. I later verified with the supplier that there shouldn’t be price differences even between their branches. Again, I had to swallow our concerns and questions lest we risk another “I give up” situation, since we were still waiting for carpentry to be installed 15.) Was informed 1.5 weeks after confirming carpentry designs that the laminate we chose for the kitchen was out of stock until 1 month later, even though we had already settled on this laminate about a month prior. Imagine the disappointment of potentially having to change visual design or delaying the project further 16.) During the lull period waiting for carpentry installations, visited the unit and spotted some minor issues like cracked tiles, scratches on tiles, messy silicon, scratched window frames etc, so suggested to meet with the ID to review these together. Was told off that if we cannot accept such minor issues then he doesn’t want to continue with the project. Not something I was expecting from a big company. 17.) Since then, there were little communications other than arrangement of item deliveries and some hook locations, until day 1 of the carpentry installation. At 5pm, was informed that our kitchen bottom cabinet was flushed to our yard door frame, with the table top and drawer doors sticking out into the door way by 22mm. Like huh? Even if 22mm doesn’t sound like much, who expects to see the table top jutting into the doorway? Was later told that because we requested for deeper (inwards) drawers of 500mm, we needed to use longer tracks and therefore deeper cabinets, all of which was never brought to our attention earlier, otherwise we would have known the implication and therefore make necessary changes. Given the closeness to our existing flat sales handover we had to suck thumb and proceed. Not a good feeling. 18.) We finally managed to move in mid July, 18 weeks since we started work, and unfortunately for us the issues haven’t ended. In one cabinet section where the display and altar was, we found 8 screw holes in 2 compartments, 4 per compartment, and we clarified later with the carpenter that this was due to a need to shift the shelves as the pre-set shelf supports clashed with the hinges, an issue with either miscommunication between factory and design or bad planning. Either way, when we asked the ID for a resolution, we were told that these were screw holes, so they can just put screws back, and they give a small discount, which seemed more like a cover up for a defective product rather than goodwill. When pressed further for other solutions as we were dissatisfied with the response, we were told that the carpenter can come by to remove all the cabinets, and I find another contractor to do it up instead (another “I give up” moment). At this point in time, this kind of response wasn’t surprising anymore 19.) 2 weeks after moving in we noted that the water flow from my common toilet mixer when set to cold water was very small, compared to when it was set to the mix and hot water portions. We got in contact with the tapware supplier (Grohe) and they send their plumbing team down to check if it was an issue with their product. Upon checking, it was noted that a used cigarette butt was lodged at the inlet valve of the cold water pipe. When I raised this issue with my ID, the response was simply that their outsourced plumbing team did not smoke and thus denied responsibility, and suggested that it could be the pipe supplier who had placed this cigarette butt. 20.) When I brought the issue up to PUB, they came by to do an inspection as they noticed that they had not received any submission regarding work done at my unit. They highlighted to me that any heater installations would require the endorsement and submission by a licensed plumber, something that had not been done, either by mistake or because there was no LP involved. PUB later contacted the ID regarding this issue however 1 month later it doesn’t seem like the submission has been done yet. So now, while our project is finally considered completed, 6 weeks longer than planned, and it doesn’t look like we’d be free of headaches. Looking back, things I have learnt: 1.) Big name in the industry doesn’t count for much if the IDs they employ can’t do the job properly 2.) Big company doesn’t always mean that there is going to be willing support for the customer by the ID or otherwise 3.) Years of experience doesn’t always mean quality or breadth of experience 4.) IDs should ideally be equipped on 4 essential skills - Design, Planning, Communication and Listening! Communication is really really key. I don’t mean asking questions such as “is the switch on the left of the power point or the right side” but things like “if you ask for deeper drawers, the table top will be sticking out into the doorway” - then again this may also boil down to the ID’s lack of experience 5.) To new homeowners, be prepared for sleepless nights, frustrations and headaches, and be ready to be very patient - it can be tiring trying to manage the egos and tantrums of some IDs 6.) No amount of homework can prepare you for what’s to come in any reno project, so cross your fingers and pray 7.) That being said, do your own checks on quotations of items when things don’t seem right

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of working with Vincent Wong from Darwin Interior Ubi Branch for the renovation of our 4 room BTO flat and we are absolutely pleased with the result (100% look like 3D images). Throughout the process, Vincent Wong has ensured that it was an enjoyable and seamless experience for us. He demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism and creativity. He also shared some tips on space optimizations and constantly reminded us to be practical and not follow the flow (which was one of the reasons why we chose him). It was a great learning experience as well for first-time home owners like us. Communications were great as Vincent Wong is very responsive in terms of status/progress updates and attending to all our queries from start to end (even after handing over). Pricing wise, all the cost breakdowns were clear and precise. The variation was not too far from the estimation for electrical works. Workmanship is exceptional. We will really recommend going for IDs with in-house carpentry (Darwin Interior is one of them). You will avoid a lot of unnecessary stress as the carpenters are directly working with your IDs. If things ever go wrong, your IDs cannot and will not push the blame to another parties. The whole renovation process took around 8 - 10 weeks and most importantly, it was in accordance to the schedule presented to us by Vincent Wong. Vincent Wong even took the extra effort to help co-ordinate with installer from Gain City our air-conditioner installation. In conclusion, we would highly recommend first-time home owners like us to engage Vincent Wong for a non-obligation discussion first to assess if he is the one for you like he was for us. Thank you Vincent Wong for making our first home such a beautiful one. We have received compliments from friends and family members who have visited.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Eric from darwin to renovate my Singapore HDB flat, and I am absolutely thrilled with the results. From start to finish, the entire process was a seamless and enjoyable experience, and I couldn't be happier with the transformation of my home. Design Creativity (5/5): Eric demonstrated an exceptional level of creativity and innovation throughout the project. They took the time to understand my vision and preferences and then brought them to life in ways I couldn't have imagined. The design choices were modern, elegant, and perfectly suited to the space. Every room in my flat now has a unique and inviting atmosphere. Space Optimization (5/5): One of the most impressive aspects of the designer's work was their ability to optimize the limited space in my HDB flat. They maximized storage solutions, cleverly designed layouts that made every square inch count. My home now feels more spacious and organized than ever before. Attention to Detail (5/5): Eric's attention to detail was truly outstanding. From the carefully selected color palettes and materials to the precise placement of lighting fixtures, every element of the design was meticulously planned and executed. It's the little touches that make my home feel luxurious and complete. Communication and Collaboration (5/5): Throughout the project, the designer maintained excellent communication and collaboration. They kept me informed of the progress, consulted me & my parents on important decisions, and were always receptive to my feedback and ideas through whatsapp. This open and collaborative approach made the entire process stress-free. Project Timeline (4/5): The only slight drawback was that the project took a little longer than initially estimated due to defects on HDB side & due to CNY. However, the extra time was well worth the outstanding results, and I appreciate the designer's commitment to ensuring everything was perfect. In conclusion, my experience working with Eric on my 3 room flat was nothing short of exceptional. They have turned my space into a beautiful, functional, and comfortable home that I am proud to show off to friends and family. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking to transform their living space. Thank you for making my dream home a reality!